Ighalo laments missing Bafana clash

Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo has expressed disappointment over missing the Cameroon 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa on November 17.

The former Watford striker, who has been replaced by Galatasaray forward Henry Onyekuru, is another major injury casualty for coach Gernot Rohr’s side after the loss of first-choice goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, who has also been replaced by Enyimba goalkeeper Theophilus Afelokhai. Turkey-based midfielder Ogenyi Onazi is also out injured.

Ighalo, who was part of the 23-man squad invited for the match by Rohr, copped a hamstring injury in Changchun Yatai’s 2-2 home draw against Tianjin Quanjin on Wednesday, which has sidelined him for between four to five weeks.

A scan on Thursday morning showed that the injury had effectively ended his season with the Chinese Super League outfit.

Top-placed Nigeria visit second-placed Bafana Bafana in a crucial Group E match at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg as they seek to seal qualification for the continental showpiece after their absence at the last two editions in 2015 and 2017.

The Eagles are on a revenge mission to Johannesburg having lost 2-0 in the first match of the qualifiers to the South Africans in Uyo last year. The Eagles only need a point from their next two games to reach next year’s finals in Cameroon, while Bafana Bafana need three to brighten their qualification chances.

Ighalo, who is the leading scorer in the AFCON qualifiers with six goals, told KweséESPN that he was upset about missing next week’s crucial qualifier against South Africa. He said he had plans for the game, adding that he wanted to ensure that the team got a win in South Africa.

“I was devastated and sad throughout the night because I have planned for and was waiting for this game. We were all very upset that we lost that first game and everybody wants to play the game to make amends, but God knows best,” Ighalo told KweseESPN.

“It is a very important game for us because we have missed two Nations Cups and we want this so bad. Also, we don’t want to lose to them again. I can’t travel right now, unfortunately. But I believe in the boys and I know that they will do the job there.”

Meanwhile, former Flying Eagles coach Ladan Bosso said it was unfortunate that Ighalo would not have the chance to add to his goal tally in the qualifiers, which would boost his confidence ahead of the tournament.

He said, “It is painful when you lose your top scorer to injury ahead of an important match but as a coach, there are other options you can make use of to get the needed result. The Eagles are well-motivated than the South Africans. The Eagles know that they only need a point to qualify and also protect their pride against the South Africans – that is the motivation needed for them to win the game.

“The team will not miss Ighalo much because there are other strikers in the team who want to stake a claim that they can do the job; this is the opportunity they have been waiting for. It is all to the benefit of the team.”

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